Aiden carriedme out of the hospital against the rather loud wishes of the nurse, who insisted I sit in a wheelchair. All bundled up in my older gray coat, I snuggled into his chest, ignoring her protests. His body was hard against me and very hot—I could almost feel the fire inside him.
His movements were uber-gentle as he settled me in the front seat of his truck and turned on the seat warmer before driving carefully out of the hospital parking lot and toward our little lake.
I wasn’t sure how to handle him in this mood.
Heck. I didn’t know how todefinethis mood.
He seemed extra cautious, avoiding ice and potholes, no doubt to keep from jostling me. I appreciated his carefulness but still didn’t feel any pain in my arm. My knee ached, but the doctor had given me a pain pill, and I’d happily downed it.
I searched to find a way to see what Aiden was thinking. “Do you believe the news will get ahold of this?”
“Definitely,” he said, turning down his driveway. “I already talked to your dad. He’ll spread the word to the family that you’re fine and recuperating at my place. I bought you a day or so.”
I loved how he’d taken care of that for me. Should I feel guilty? I mean, it wasmyfamily.
We reached the cabin, and he stopped the truck and jumped out, crossing around to lift me out and into the snowy night. He kind of curled his body over me to protect me from the wind and snow, quickly striding up the porch and keying in the code.
Once inside, he strode through the vacant living room to the bedroom. “We really need furniture. Hold on for a second. I’ll build a fire in the other room.” He gently placed me on the bed and removed my boots before turning away and leaving the room.
I shivered. The guy seemed to be moving on autopilot. Gingerly, I removed my coat, leaving me in my bra and skirt. The nurse had apparently cut off my shirt.
Aiden returned, caught sight of me, and his blue eyes flared. But he silently fetched one of his overlarge T-shirts from a basket on the floor and moved to me, flicking open my bra. Still not saying a word, he slid one strap down and then lifted the other over the bandage on my shoulder before pulling the shirt over my head.
I slipped my good arm through and then held my breath as he helped me get my other one into place. The soft cotton fell over me. Using one hand, I grasped the waist of the skirt and shoved it down. Aiden finished removing it and tossed it toward the basket. Then he helped me under the covers and settled several pillows behind my back so I could sit comfortably.
“You hungry?” he asked.
“No.” I swallowed. “Aiden?”
He looked at me, but it was like he was looking through me. “What?”
“What’s wrong?”
He blinked. Twice. “Wrong?”
Adrenaline fought with the pain pill in my system, and I couldn’t figure out why. “I’m having trouble reading you. It’s scaring me.”
He recoiled like I’d hit him. Finally, his gaze focused on me. “Don’t be frightened. I’m pissed, Angel. It’s that simple.”
Yeah, I’d seen him mad before. “This seems different.”
His chin lifted. “A guy shot you with a fucking arrow. He aimed to kill you.”
Pierce’s scorched-earth comment swam through my head. “The police will find him.”
“Not if I do first.”
Ah. Hmm. Okay. “You need to remember that you’re an ATF agent, not a vigilante.” When we met, he’d been undercover as the leader of a motorcycle club that made its own rules. I believe he was so successful in that role because part of him had that wildness. The ability to create his own laws and live by them. “You love your job.”
“Not as much as you.”
My breath caught. Neither of us had ever said the words. Still hadn’t, really. I swallowed. “It’s not worth risking your job over.” There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that Aiden could hunt down Cupid and take revenge, but that wasn’t who he needed to be.
Sighing, he kicked off his boots and loped toward me. He sat on his side of the bed, tucked one leg under the other, and faced me. “I’d risk anything for you. Don’t you know that?” He cupped my jaw and leaned in, kissing me gently.
My heart swelled. Yes, it was a stupid expression, but I swore that’s what happened. There was something about untamable men, the wildness in them, that became all the sweeter when they tried to be gentle. Attempted to be unguarded and genuine with just one woman. Me. With just an honest statement like that, he made me feel special, like one in a million. Because I knew that he’d risk anything for me. He had, in fact. I returned his kiss, feeling his tension start to dissipate. I leaned back. “I admire the rein you’ve kept on your temper all night.”
One of his dark eyebrows rose. “It has been an effort.” His voice was still hoarse. “I’m pissed at myself for not seeing the danger in this stupid Cupid ring. The guy shot Basanelli, and I still didn’t hunt him down.”
